New Hampshire Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (NHCRCSP) works with health systems, including clinics, hospitals, and other health care organizations in the State of New Hampshire to use and strengthen strategies that have been shown to improve quality and completion of colorectal cancer screenings.
NHCRCSP works to:
- Partner with New Hampshire health systems that serve people age 45-75.
- Improve the use of public health strategies that have been shown to increase colorectal cancer screening.
- Monitor the impact of implemented strategies on colorectal cancer screening rates.
- Disseminate best practices for colorectal cancer screening.
Increasing screening to save lives
Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or the rectum. The colon is the large intestine and the rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anal canal.
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. If everyone aged 45 years or older had regular screening tests, many deaths from this cancer might be avoided. In addition, the potential change to start colorectal cancer screening at age 45 could prevent deaths from colorectal cancer in young people.
The gastrointestinal oncology program provides information for patients about colorectal screening (including a video - 'Tips and Tricks for Colonoscopy Prep'),other resources and clinical trials.
Information for providers
Increasing quality and completion of patient colonoscopy screenings
The NHCRCSP patient navigation model has been highly effective in increasing the completion and quality of colonoscopy screening among underserved groups. Patients in this program were 11 times more likely to complete colonoscopy than a comparison group. Given their success, the CDC and the NHCRCSP worked together to develop a manual to help others replicate the model. Expanded use of the NHCRCSP model can help reach our shared goal of 80% colorectal cancer screening in every community.
Download the manual here, and forward to colleagues.
Send comments, questions, and suggestions to NHCRCSP@hitchcock.org.
Evidence-based interventions
NHCRCSP uses strategies recommended by the Guide to Community Preventive Services, focusing on four activities (evidence-based interventions, or EBIs) in partner health systems:
- Patient reminders
- Provider reminders
- Provider assessment and feedback on CRC screening rates
- Reducing structural barriers for patients
Information and materials available through NHCRCSP
- A provider pocket card summarizing current CRC screening and surveillance recommendations, including guidelines for average-risk individuals, and increased-risk individuals.
- A fact sheet explaining the differences between various types of stool tests.
- An easy-to-understand summary of the latest recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer.
- Various cards, brochures, booklets, and posters to use in discussing CRC screening with patients.